Electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering and/or flying patterns

ABSTRACT

The present invention is referred to an electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering and/or flying patterns, comprising a driving unit; said driving unit includes a base, a central hollow body and a rotatable head. A power source is connected to the driving unit, a flexible support is attached to the rotatable head of the driving unit and a display pattern is attached to the flexible support. Said driving unit includes in the central hollow body an oscillator electronic circuit and an electric motor. Said oscillator electronic circuit is connected to the power source and to the electric motor which includes a driving motor shaft attached to the rotatable head. This device simulates the movement of some flying objects and aliforms, such as birds, bats, butterflies, dragonflies, fairies, or the like. The oscillator circuit sends pulses at a certain frequency to the motor, generating an intermittent, rotational movement. This movement is transferred to the wire, which, then accentuates and transmits this movement to the object. The ultimate effect is the combination of a rotational movement, and a movement that simulates the flapping of wings of some flying animals and fairies, or the movement of other aquatic or terrestrial animals. The speed and intensity of rotation and flapping change with the frequency and pulse width of the wave that the oscillator sends. The device may be used in decorative, educational, promotional, and entertainment applications. It may be used both, indoors and outdoors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Continuation-in-Part application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 12/336,153, filed on Dec. 16, 2008, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to display devices capable of creating the effect of a flying or hovering object, such as a bird, a butterfly, a bat, etc. More particularly, the present invention is referred to a display device propelled by an electric motor which in turn drives an elongated flexible support to which the flying or hovering object is mounted. Even more particularly, the present invention is referred to an electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Flying toys have been proposed in the past using different features and forms. Just as an example, flying dolls, helicopters, flying saucers and aircrafts are some of multiple examples known in the prior art. Also some of these examples allow the toy to hover in air through the use of helium-filled devices, chopper-like blades propelled by an electric motor or even water. But this hovering effect cannot be maintained for a long time, and it is just an effect that lasts few minutes.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,157 issued on Nov. 19, 1969 to E. G. Paquette entitled “Advertising Display” shows a device simulating a firefly mounted on a flexible support which in turn is anchored in an angularly oriented flippable holding member. The member is attached to a rotatable shaft having a loose connection and imparts a jerking motion on the member. However, the angular movement in this device is an irregular movement caused by the loose connections and the type of flippable holding member to which a steel spring is attached.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,932 issued on Jan. 1, 1980 to Millard entitled “Animated Plant Display” discloses an animated plant display defined by a housing which contains a rotating platform mounted on a shaft which is driven by a motor which can be operated by a battery. Flowers plants and bells are mounted on the platform and display with the form of a butterfly is mounted through a slot in a collar of the housing surrounding the platform. Said wire is supporting the butterfly and creates a vibration effect by a cog wheel mounted on the shaft which causes cogs to press against the wire supporting the butterfly. Another cog wheel mounted on the shaft causes a hammer mounted within the housing to gently hit a bell depending from a support within the housing, causing gentle bell like sounds while the butterfly moves around undulating as the platform rotates. This invention does not generate a rotational wire movement to direct the butterfly in an angular path, but rather the butterfly movement is constrained to a straight line.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,458 issued on Feb. 20, 1990 to Belokin et al. describes an advertising display including a simulated winged butterfly, bee or the like, and which is rotatable driven by a battery operated electromotor to simulate the flight of a butterfly and draw the customer's attention to the merchandise displayed therewith. The rotatable display includes a thin piano wire on which the butterfly is mounted at the upper end of the wire, the lower end of the wire being secured to a rotatable driven member in such a manner as to preclude breakage due to the repeated flexing. An upper end portion of the wire is bent so that the butterfly trails in the direction of rotation of the driven member and produces a particularly lifelike, articulated and swinging movement of the butterfly.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,486 issued on Aug. 21, 1990 to Belokin et al. illustrates a display unit for point of sale advertising comprising a stationary object, such as a real or simulated flowering plant, mounted on a support, such as a flowerpot, and a flying object, such as a simulated butterfly, operated by driving apparatus so as to move in a randomly undulating and randomly reversible orbit around the plant, as would a real butterfly. The driving apparatus comprises an electric motor having a motor housing stationary mounted on the flowerpot, a stator including a stationary field coil electrically energizable by alternating current mounted in the motor housing, and a rotor in the form of a bipolar permanent magnet rotatable mounted on an upright magnetizable metal shaft on the motor housing. The effect created with this invention is to cause the simulated butterfly to flutter about the flowering plant as would a real butterfly. However, a predetermined mechanical load imposed on the permanent magnet rotor effected by random striking of the simulated butterfly against the plant, or by random horizontal and vertical excursions of the simulated butterfly in its orbital path, or by random “hand-up” of the permanent magnet rotor on its shaft, causes the rotor to periodically and frequently reverse its direction of rotation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,702, issued on Sep. 15, 1992 to Belokin Jr. describes a display unit simulating a flying object and having an electric motor mounted on a support structure. A rotatable driven member is engaged on the shaft of the motor and has a wire with a flying object attached thereto. When the driven member is rotated, the wire is swung around, and the object assumes a flying fluttering motion due to the vibrations through the wire from the motor. The object is drivingly rotated in a swinging and erratic motion around the unit but at much slower rate of rotation than the motor shaft and member. In this invention, the motor is not driven by an electronic control.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,844, issued on Oct. 20, 1998 to Markowitz describes a vibrating toy including a housing, a battery mounted within the housing, a motor mounted within the housing activated by the battery, a shaft driven by the motor, a mechanism on the shaft for imparting an eccentric vibration from the housing, a play element outside of the housing, and a mechanism for connecting the play element to the housing and through which the play element can receive vibrations generated from the mechanism that imparts the eccentric vibration. A weighted element attached to the shaft imparts an eccentric vibration transferred to the housing which in turn through contact vibrates a wire serving as the mechanism that connects to the play element.

U.S. Patent Application No. 20080207084 A1 filed by Schnuckle on Aug. 28, 2008 describes an apparatus hovering winged objects. The apparatus includes an elongate support and a driver with an output shaft that supports a first end of the support. The driver imparts an oscillating displacement to the first end of the support. A body is mounted at a second end of the support and wings are attached to the support at an offset distance from the body. The body is positioned near the second end to swivel or pivot in response to vibration of the support. The driver vibrates the first end at a frequency that shapes the support as a wave, and the frequency is selected or tuned such that the wings are displaced more than the body such by imparting a harmonic frequency on the support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of this present invention is to provide a very economical and easy to use product, that may be used in decorative, promotional, educational, and entertainment applications, and that succeeds in closely imitating the natural movement of aliforms, such as a butterfly, a dragonfly, a bird, a bat or a fairy. Just as an example, a butterfly pattern, with the aspect and movement of a real butterfly, may be very attractive for decorating a garden, the windows of a local shop, or simply a home.

This invention is directed to a display device which creates the effect of flying or hovering objects comprising in general an electric motor, a flexible wire connected to one end of the motor shaft, a light object at the other end of the wire, an electronic oscillator, and a power source.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a display device propelled by an electric motor using, as a power source, batteries, an AC/DC adapter, or alternating current from a regular power outlet.

Yet another aspect of the purposed invention comprises an electronic circuit known as an oscillator connected to the motor. This circuit is responsible for generating a squared wave with a graduated frequency and pulse width according to the speed and intensity of the flapping movement that is desired for the flying object. Each pulse activates the motor for a time that lasts as long as the pulse. A series of short, consecutive pulses causes a series of short activations of the motor. When the wave frequency is higher, the pulses have a shorter duration, and, thus, the duration of activations of the motor is shorter. Visually, an effect similar to a vibration is produced. The variation of the relationship between the motor activating and shutting off from the wave may produce various oscillation effects in the motor shaft, such as, alterations in the rotational speed, or changes in the intensity of the object's flapping movement.

Also another aspect of this invention comprises a display device which includes means for changing the intensity of the vibration of the pattern. The wire to which the pattern is mounted is connected to the motor shaft. By altering the angle between the motor and the wire changes are produced in the intensity of the vibration of the wire, and thus, the object's movement. The rotational and oscillatory movement of the motor shaft is transmitted accentuated by the flexible wire, which finally transmits it to the flying object.

Yet another aspect provides a display device which moves around the unit creating a very realistic flying or hovering movement, similar to that of a butterfly, bird or bat. The display pattern must be light, and may be made of a plastic laminate, fabric, paper, or other flexible material that is able to show the vibration that comes from the wire.

In summary the present invention is referred to an electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, comprising a driving unit; said driving unit includes a base, a central hollow body and a rotatable head; a power source is connected to the driving unit; a flexible support is attached to the rotatable head of the driving unit; a display pattern is attached to the flexible support; said driving unit includes, in the central hollow body, an oscillator electronic circuit and an electric motor; said oscillator electronic circuit is connected to the power source and to the electric motor; and said electric motor includes a driving motor shaft attached to the rotatable head.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display device with a flying object in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the unit 200 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram describing the treatment process of the electrical signal to generate the desired movement.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the display device in accordance with the present invention in an outdoor environment, such as a garden, with a central fastening bar.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention showing a lateral arrangement of the fastening bar when the present display device is arranged in a garden.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in which the present device is mounted on a flat hard surface, such as a table.

FIG. 7 illustrates another application of the present display device attached to a branch of a tree or any similar natural or artificial element.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present device in which batteries are used, and the present device is used as a hand-held toy.

FIG. 9 is a general perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in which the unit has more than one flying object; finally:

FIG. 10 is another general perspective view of another embodiment of the present device in which one or more units operate with a single power source

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the Figures, the invention is directed to an electrically propelled display device 100 with simulated hovering patterns, comprising a driving unit 200. Said driving unit includes a base 230, a central hollow body and a rotatable head 250. A power source 300 is connected to the driving unit 200 and a flexible support 420 is attached to the rotatable head 250 of the driving unit 200 and to a display pattern 400 as well. Said driving unit 200 includes in the central hollow body an oscillator electronic circuit 260 and an electric motor 210. Said oscillator electronic circuit 260 is connected to the power source 300 through a cable 320 and to the electric motor 210, and said electric motor 210 includes a driving motor shaft 214 attached to the rotatable head 250.

FIG. 1 illustrates the display device for simulation of flying objects 100 of the present invention. As shown, the system 100 comprises a power source 300, which in this case is an AC/DC adapter connected to an outlet via a plug 310. A unit 200 includes inside an electric motor and an oscillator electronic circuit (not shown in this figure). Finally a display pattern in the form of a flying object 400 is connected to the unit 200 by a flexible support 420 which may be a metal wire or the like. The lower end of said support is connected to the motor shaft, and the upper end 430 is connected to the display pattern 400.

The power source 300 is connected to the unit 200 by means of a cable 320 which carries the electrical current to an oscillator circuit 260. Due to the signal generated by the oscillator circuit 260, the motor shaft 214 rotates clockwise intermittently, as shown by arrow 212. When the oscillator circuit 260 generates a wave, a vibration is produced in the support 420, and due to its flexible nature, amplifies the vibration which is transmitted to the display pattern 400 located at the upper end 430 of the support 420.

Both, the vibration transmitted to the object 400 and the air that passes through it due to the rotation, cause the movement of the moving or flexible parts of the object 400, such as the wings 450, which may be made of plastic, metal, paper, fabric, or similar material.

A cylindrical fastening bar 220 is used to fix the device 100 to the ground 512 or other soft material. This bar 220 may be disconnected from the device 100 when the user wishes to place the unit 200 on a flat hard surface, such as on a table, supported on its base 230.

FIG. 2 shows the internal components of the unit 200. A cable 320 coming from the power source 300 carries the electrical current to the oscillator 260, which then delivers an electrical signal to the motor 210 in the form of a wave which activates the motor intermittently by means of a cable 262. A part 250 is responsible for connecting the motor shaft 214 and the lower end 410 of the flexible support. A base 230 helps the unit 200 to remain stable when it is placed on a flat hard surface. A housing 240 integral with the body of unit 200 lodges the upper end of the fastening bar 220.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram describing the treatment process for the electrical signal to generate the desired movement of the display pattern. The power source 300 delivers the necessary electrical current to the electronic oscillator 260, which generates a squared wave with a frequency determined according to the desired flapping effect of the flying or hovering object 400. This wave comprises pulses P each of which activates the motor 210 for the duration of the pulse P. When the frequency 264 is high, short pulses are produced, which activate the motor 210 for short durations. With this option the display object 400 will vibrate and rotate very rapidly. The duration of the pulse P compared to the period T of the wave may be modified. It may be a short pulse P 266, or a long pulse P 268, both at the same period T. The variation of the duration of the pulses P affects the intensity of the movement of the wings of the object 400.

FIG. 4 shows the application of the device in an outdoor environment, such as a garden. The unit 200 using the bar 220 can be placed among plants 510 in a garden. The flying object 400 serves as a decorative element. The bar 220 buried into the ground secures the unit 200 in the garden soil 512. The oscillator electronic circuit 260 inside the unit 200 is sealed to prevent water from entering and damaging the internal electrical parts.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment in which the unit is attached to the soil 512 by the bar 220 which this time is connected to a side of the unit 200 by means of connecting elements 222 instead of using the housing 240. Said connecting elements may be plastic staples, hoops, clamps or the like.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in which the present invention is used on a flat hard surface, such as a table. The unit 200 may be placed on a flat hard horizontal surface 520 and it will remain stable due to the resting legs of the base 230

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment in which the present display device is attached to the branch of a tree 530, or any similar natural or artificial element. The unit 200 may be connected to objects, such as sticks, branches, trunks, bars, and other similar items using connection parts 222, such as straps or tape.

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the present invention in which the display device 100 uses batteries and is used as a manual toy. The unit 200 may use batteries to replace the AC/DC adapter 300 shown in FIG. 1, and may be used as a child's toy, which can be handheld 540. It may also be used as a portable decoration.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the present display device in which a unit 200 has more than one display pattern 400. One of more objects 400 a, 400 b, 400 c, may exhibit rotational and oscillatory movements supplied by one, single unit 200.

FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the present invention, this time showing one or more units 200 a-c operating with a single power source 300. The cable 320 from the power source 300 is connected to a connector 350 to which are connected one or more units 200 a-c by means of one or more cables 352, 354, 356. Each unit 200 a-c may have one or more flying objects 400 a-e.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. Electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, comprising: a driving unit; said driving unit includes a base, a central hollow body and a rotatable head; a power Source connected to the driving unit; a flexible support attached to the rotatable head of the driving unit; a display pattern attached to the flexible support; said driving unit includes in the central hollow body an oscillator electronic circuit and an electric motor; said oscillator electronic circuit is electrically connected to the power source and to the electric motor; and said electric motor includes a driving motor shaft attached to the rotatable head.
 2. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein said power source is an electrical wire connected to an AC/DC adapter connected to an outlet via a plug.
 3. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery.
 4. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein said base includes a set of resting legs for placing the unit on a flat hard surface.
 5. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein said base includes a hollow housing in which a fastening bar is lodged.
 6. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein a fastening bar is fixed to the side of the base.
 7. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein the flexible support is a wire.
 8. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein the display pattern is selected from: an aliform, a butterfly, a dragonfly, a bird, a bat, a fairy.
 9. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 8, wherein the display pattern is made of a laminar light material.
 10. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 9, wherein the material is one of: paper, fabric, plastic.
 11. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein said electronic oscillator circuit generates an electric wave which energizes said motor intermittently.
 12. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 11, wherein said wave causing an intermittent rotation of the motor shaft transmits said movement to the flexible support and to the display pattern.
 13. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 11, wherein the display pattern vibrates according to the frequency and pulse width from said wave, and at the same time rotates around said driving unit.
 14. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 13, wherein said frequency and pulse width generated by the wave is adjusted to obtain various effects in vibration and speed in the rotation of said display pattern.
 15. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 11, wherein said shaft transmits said rotational movement to said rotatable head, which transmits said rotational movement to said elongated flexible support, which transmits said rotational movement to said display pattern, which vibrates according to the frequency and the pulse width of said wave and rotates at the same time around said driving unit.
 16. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 15, wherein the vibration and velocity of rotation of said display pattern change upon adjustment of said frequency and pulse width.
 17. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein said driving unit is a handheld unit.
 18. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein to said rotatable head several flexible supports are attached, each one supporting the display pattern.
 19. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 1, wherein said power source electrically feeds several driving units at the same time.
 20. The electrically propelled display device with simulated hovering patterns, in accordance to claim 19, wherein a cable from the power source is connected to a connector to which several driving units are connected. 